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Read the article & Examine the images below to discover one of the most interesting REAL LIFE mummy finds ever!

Deep inside an ancient pyramid in Peru, a mummy lay hidden in a gold-filled tomb. The underground chamber remained a secret for nearly 1,600 years, until an archaeologist noticed rectangular patches of soft clay in the pyramid's floor—a telltale sign of a grave. His heartbeat quickened. He suspected that someone powerful would be buried here.

The archaeologist was standing in a sacred location, a courtyard near the peak of the biggest pyramid at El Brujo—a ceremonial site of the ancient Moche (MO-chay) people. The civilization's rulers, who controlled the north coast of Peru from A.D. 100 to 800, probably reserved this spot for a king or a great warrior. What valuable treasures would lie inside this leader's tomb?

The Mummy Unwrapped

Finally, after weeks of careful digging, the scientists peered through the ancient dust. In front of them lay one of the world's largest and best-preserved mummies. As they unwrapped the bundled layers, hundreds of treasures were revealed, including gold nose rings and necklaces, sparkling crowns, and huge war clubs usually reserved for the Moche's greatest warriors.

But when archaeologists lifted a gold bowl covering the mummy's face, they found the biggest surprise yet. The mummy wasn't a king or a male warrior; it was a young Moche woman—and she was covered in mysterious tattoos!The Moche Way

Until now research had shown that only men ruled Moche society—a warrior culture in which prisoners were captured in battle and sacrificed in bloody rituals atop this very pyramid. Where did this 20-something woman fit in? Was she a queen? A high priestess? A warrior princess?

One thing's for sure: This Moche VIP would have received star treatment. When visiting her people, servants would have carried her high above the crowds on a litter, a special platform reserved for only the most elite figures. Says anthropologist John Verano: "Her gold objects would have shimmered so brightly you could have seen them from miles away."

Twenty Questions

Today this mystery woman is making headlines again. Her well-sealed tomb helped preserve hundreds of ancient artifacts—even her dresses and braided hair. "It's like going back in a time machine to A.D. 450 and seeing her just as she was," says Verano. But now the scientists have unearthed more questions than answers.

What did the mummy's elaborate tattoos mean? With drawings of snakes, spiders, crabs, and imaginary animals crawling along her arms, legs, and feet, she has more body art than any known Moche mummy. No one knows for sure what these creatures mean, but the Moche may have believed the animals would bring healthy harvests.

And why was the mummy buried with 23 spear throwers? Even the most powerful male leaders were buried with only one or two. Did her bodyguards leave the weapons to protect her in the afterlife?

Most important, why did this adored woman die at such a young age? The skeleton showed no sign of disease or injury. Some experts think she may have died while giving birth, but researchers are still uncertain.

Tomb Be Continued

Whoever this woman was, it’s clear from her elaborate burial that she was a star among her people. And now the ancient heroine’s tomb is helping experts re-create her life and the world of the Moche people.

After reading the article, complete the "MAIN IDEA MUMMY" activity to summarize.

Finished??? You've received a MUMMY Reward! Play this cool game on N.G.K!

Exploring the deep roots of civil rights and black history, we will examine the thematic concepts of identity and perspective. We will do this by reading mentor text picture books, novels, and nonfiction texts which provide evidence to help us understand how childhood experiences shaped the identity of famous historical black figures and how civil rights struggles impacted changes in perspective of both society and the historical figures we are learning about. We will use the following essential questions to drive our exploration of these 2 concepts.

EXPLORING BLACK HISTORY @ BRAINPOP, JR.

EXPLORING BLACK HISTORY @ BRAINPOP

EXPLORE BLACK HISTORY BY RESEARCHING FAMOUS PEOPLE & CHOOSE YOUR TOP 3.

After choosing the historical black figure to research, you will write a biography report about that famous person.

Complete this form with your top 3:

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Take Notes on your figure.

CREATE A FAKEBOOK FOR THE FAMOUS BLACK HISTORICAL FIGURE YOU RESEARCHED.

Using the research you collected about your historical black figure, create a Fakebook page for them, written in FIRST PERSON point of view, expressing their PERSPECTIVES, timeline, friends/family, etc.

Welcome to the Route #125 Travel Agency!

We are so excited about the facts we've learned and fun we've experienced in the Northeast region and as we move onto the Midwest. Our Route #125 travelers become travel AGENTS once they have fully explored each region. They want to pass along facts, tips, and tricks for traveling across our great nation.

For each region, students will create a PPT presentation full of facts, examples, pictures, and videos. They also have the option to create a green screen video recording of their FAVORITE TOURIST HOT SPOT from that region. The final video will be part of their PPT to present to tourists who come to their travel agency looking for vacation advice.

Step #1

Use the facts from your social studies text books, NE region mini-guide booklet, other research you've performed, and map skills to create a PPT presentation addressing the topics and tourist attractions listed on each page of the PPT template.

Step #2

For the final component of your project, convince tourists to visit the region you're presenting, and highlight your FAVORITE tourist hot spot by creating a green screen video broadcast or commercial. We will add your video link to the final PPT.

Read each slide to learn more about Dia de los Muertos

After you read the information on the slideshow once for FUN, go back into the text and re-read again for CLOSE READING purposes. Use your NON-FICTION NOTES PAGE to take notes on your close reading.

Learn MORE by watching this DIscovery Channel Video.

Design Your Own Sugar SKull

Use the inspirational images below in the slideshow to help you decide upon a SYMMETRICAL (exactly the same on both sides) design for your sugar skull. Use the foam skulls and craft items from Mrs. Petlak to create your own beautiful sugar skull.